City of Salina Brochure-Open Burning

1. The Salina Fire Department receives
numerous calls in regards to Open
Burning. This pamphlet will explain the
Open Burning regulations as approved
by Chapter 14, Article III, Division III of
the City Code and in accordance with
KDHE.
What is a Recreational Fire? An out-
door fire burning materials other than
rubbish where the fuel being burned is
not contained in an incinerator, outdoor
fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit
and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or
less in diameter and 2 feet or less in
height for pleasure, religious, ceremo-
nial, cooking, warmth or similar pur-
poses.
Outdoor Burning Categories
• Open Burning
• Recreational Fires
• Bon Fires
What is Open Burning? The burning
of materials wherein products of com-
bustion are emitted directly into the air
without passing through a stack or
chimney from an enclosed chamber.
For the purpose of this definition, a
chamber is regarded as enclosed when
during the time combustion occurs,
only openings, ducts, stacks, flues or
chimneys necessary to provide com-
bustion air and permit the escape of
exhaust gas are open.
Open burning is any burning that takes
place in an unenclosed space. Exam-
ples include but not limited to the burn-
ing of leaves, grass clippings and yard
or household debris.
Contact the Salina Fire Department
at 826-7340 if you have any
questions about open burning.
Open Burning is prohibited within
the City limits without a Burn Permit.
A recent innovation
that is sometimes
treated as Open
Burning is the patio
fireplace. These de-
vices function similar
to a masonry or fac-
tory-built indoor fire-
place except that
they are portable
fireplaces designed
to provide ambience
and warmth in out-
door settings. They
come in many styles and are typically
constructed of steel with heavy-duty
screening around the firebox, although
some types are made of concrete or
clay with a small hearth opening and
are equipped with a short chimney or
chimney opening in the top. The de-
sign will typically include a stand to ele-
vate the firebox above the surface
upon which it is placed to provide clear-
ance to combustible materials. These
devices are not regulated by the City
Code and are legal to use within the
city limits of Salina.
Recreational fires shall not be con-
ducted within 25 feet of a structure or
combustible material unless the fire is
contained in a container approved by
the Fire Marshal. Conditions which
could cause a fire to spread within 25
feet of a structure shall be eliminated
prior to ignition.

2. AN OVERVIEW OF
OUTDOOR BURNING
REGULATIONS
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
If you have any questions about
open burning regulations or
would like additional
information, please contact the
Salina Fire Department.
Address: 222 W. Elm
Phone: (785) 826-7340
Fax: (785) 404-6335
What is a Bonfire? An outdoor fire
utilized for ceremonial purposes. Bon-
fires are usually very large and are as-
sociated with a crowd activity. Failure
to follow good safety practices with
these fires can lead to serious injuries
and property damage.
A bonfire shall not be conducted within
300 feet of a structure or combustible
material and a pile no higher than 8
feet and a width of no more than 12
feet. Conditions which could cause a
fire to spread within 300 feet of a struc-
ture shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
Notwithstanding this provision, bonfires
may still be subject to enforcement of
other City Code provisions such as but
not limited to the nuisance code.
Attendance. Bonfires or Recreational
fires shall be constantly attended until
the fire is extinguished. A minimum of
one portable fire extinguisher or other
approved on-site fire extinguishing
equipment, such as dirt, sand, water
barrel, garden hose or water truck ,
shall be available for immediate utiliza-
tion.
Extinguishment Authority. The fire
code official is authorized to order the
extinguishment of any open burning,
recreational fire or bonfire that creates
offensive or objectionable smoke or
odor or adds to a hazardous or objec-
tionable situation.